September 14, 2011

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Eagles DE, Darryl Tapp Interview

by Max Strauss

Darryl Tapp attended the Virginia Tech University and was a stud defensive end there. He then entered the 2006 NFL Draft, and was drafted 63rd overall by the Seattle Seahawks. After a slow start to his career, he picked up pace during his second year. During the 2010 offseason, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. There are two interviews here. One that was conducted before the 2010 season, and another that was conducted right as the 2011 season began.Follow @DTapp55Follow @ProInterviewsCheck out Darryl Tapp’s website at www.dtapp.com

[NEW INTERVIEW as of 9/14/2011]

Strauss : How do you grade your preseason performance?

Tapp : I will give my preseason performance a C. I am a hard grader first of all, and its my first year in this new scheme. I thought we were not as consistent as we would like to be on a day in-and-out basis, but that will come the more we practice. The lack of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this offseason hurt us as far as learning the scheme and getting comfortable.

Strauss : What is it like to add Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin to the defensive line?

Tapp : Cullen and Babs are huge additions to the defensive line. They both bring experience, intensity, and most importantly heart.

Strauss : What are your expectations for this season?

Tapp : I personally expect this defensive line to be the best in the league. We are a bunch of guys no one really wanted and we are out to prove we can play at a high level.

Strauss : What’s DL Coach, Jim Washburn like?

Tapp : Coach Wash[burn] is unbelievable. Hall of Fame Dline coach in my eyes. He sees the game like players do and he breaks it down in a way that we can understand it. He is a Hard nosed, Rugged, motivator that always gets the most out of us.

Strauss : What’s Defensive Coordinator, Juan Castillo like?

Tapp : Coach Juan [Castillo] is awesome. He is a coach to has alot of knowledge about the game. He has tons of energy and passion for coaching and its been pretty cool being lead by him.

[OLD INTERVIEW as of 5/15/2010]

Strauss : Why do you make it important to connect to the fans?

Tapp : I make that an area of importance because the fans are special to me. I had great fans at Virginia Tech, then in Seattle, and now in Philly. I want the fans to know that I don’t take them for granted!

Strauss : Who was your childhood star?

Tapp : My family was my childhood stars. I looked up to my Mom, my Dad, and my two older brothers.

Strauss : If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

Tapp : I look forward to meeting my Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. No one is more important than him.

Strauss : What is your favorite song to listen to before a game? What pumps you up?

Tapp : I don’t have a favorite song that I listen to before a game, because each game is different. I listen to all types of music from R&B, Rap, to Gospel.

Strauss : What is your favorite movie of all time?

Tapp : Major Payne is my favorite movie

Strauss : What is your favorite snack food?

Tapp : I love cookies!

Strauss : What is your favorite type of pie?

Tapp : Sweet Potato Pie at Thanksgiving is my favorite.

Strauss : What is your favorite TV-Show?

Tapp : My favorite TV show is the Cosby Show, classic tv.

Strauss : What is your favorite meal?

Tapp : My favorite meal is anything my wife or mom makes.

Strauss : What is your favorite video game?

Tapp : There is a tie between my favorite video games, God of War, NBA2k, and Madden.

Strauss : What is the one thing you can’t leave your house without?

Tapp : The Bible.

Strauss : How long have you played football?

Tapp : I have played football for 14 years.

Strauss : Did you play any other sports in high school?

Tapp : I played football, basketball, ran track, in addition to playing soccer.

Strauss : What is your favorite sport to play other than football?

Tapp : Soccer is my favorite sport to play other than football, it was my first love.

Strauss : What was your favorite NFL team growing up?

Tapp : My favorite team was the Washington Redskins and it still is, except when we play them!

Strauss : When did you realize that you were going to play football in college and in the NFL?

Tapp : My junior year I realized I was going to play football at the collegiate level and then, during my senior year in college I realized I was going to play in the NFL.

Strauss : If you weren’t playing in the NFL, what would you want to do?

Tapp : I would be working for an athletic company designing commercials if the NFL was not in my future.

Strauss : When did you see your first live NFL game?

Tapp : I have never seen a live NFL game before. I have only played in them. I always watched them on television though!

Strauss : What is your favorite memory from VT?

Tapp : The best memories from Virginia Tech was scoring a touchdown in a rivalry game against University of Virginia in the snow and it my last home game at VT and I had three sacks, blocked a field goal, four quarterback hits, and caused a fumble.

Strauss : How has choosing a number worked throughout your career?

Tapp : I had 55 since High School, and I am going through withdrawals now because I am not wearing it. It’s the only number I have really know until this year, and one day I will get it back. I am now number 91.

Strauss : What impact did your high school coach have on your football career?

Tapp : My high school coach had a major impact upon my career because high school is where I developed a passion to play football and he taught me the techniques and the skills need to play.

Strauss : Describe the hardest change between the jump from high school to college.

Tapp : The hardest change between high school and college is the speed of the game. It gets a lot faster.

Strauss : What impact did your college coach have on your professional career?

Tapp : My college coach had a tremendous impact because he saw the talent in me and offered me a college scholarship first and then, placed me in situations to be successful in the classroom and on the field.

Strauss : What can you expect from playing D-1 football?

Tapp : You can expect to go to a great academic school and play top college programs and players every week.

Strauss : Who was the hardest player for you to get past in college?

Tapp : D’Brickashaw Ferguson of University of Virginia, and now he’s on the Jets. He was the hardest collegiate player to get past. He is very athletic and very talented!

Strauss : What’s the hardest workout for you to complete?

Tapp : Running Hills at Mt. Trashmore in Virginia during the offseason.

Strauss : Describe the hardest change between the jump from college to the NFL.

Tapp : The hardest change between the jump from college to the NFL is the fact that you are no longer a student athlete, football is now my job and the way I provide for my family.

Strauss : What was it like to train for the combine?

Tapp : Training for the combine was very intense!

Strauss : What was your draft day experience like?

Tapp : My Draft day experience was a great one but felt so long. The draft started at noon and I got drafted finally in the second round at 8PM.

Strauss : How has your game improved beyond your college years?

Tapp : I have gotten a lot smarter these past four years that I have been in the NFL. I have become a student of the game.

Strauss : What is an experience you have had that changed your life?

Tapp : Every experience that I have had up to this point has cultivated my life.

Strauss : How important has film been to your development? What do you look for when you watch film?

Tapp : Film study is what separates good players from the great ones. I look for offensive tendencies on formations and alignments, and I look to see what the individual player I will be up against like to do as far as strengths and weaknesses.

Strauss : Who do you compare your game to? Why?

Tapp : I compare my game to Dwight Freeney, we are the same in weight and stature.

Strauss : Could you have predicted how far football was going to carry you?

Tapp : I never would have expected football would expose me to many different opportunities.

Strauss : What is your favorite quote?

Tapp : Proverbs 3:5 from the Bible, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding.”

Strauss : For someone aspiring to play football in college and in the NFL, do you have any advice for them?

Tapp : Work hard in the classroom and on the field! Good things will come!

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

I have always enjoyed your interview but I must say I enjoyed this one more than usual! I love that fact that he is a fellow Christian and that his favorite verse is also one of mine! Great Job Max in showing another side of a great player!